44 SIDELINES SEPTEMBER 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Arianna Delin
For some people, finding the right horse takes a lot of time and
energy. For others, the right match just seems to fall into place.
That was the case for Laura Vorwerk and her off-the-track-
Thoroughbred, Sam P. After unexpectedly losing her previous
OTTB mare in November to colic, Laura wasn’t sure she wanted
to start over with another green horse – until she saw Sam on
the New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program’s website at the
beginning of 2013.
“When I saw him and watched the videos of his movement, my
initial thought was, ‘Wow. Someone is going to get a really nice
horse that already has some solid training.’ It took me a few days
before I really started thinking that maybe I could be the one to
adopt him, and when I went to Lexington, Kentucky to see him a
lot of things fell into place at the right time and I ended up signing
the paperwork,” said Laura, a 28-year-old from Napoleon, Ohio.
A graded stakes placed horse, Sam most notably finished 9th at
the 2007 Kentucky Derby under the name Sam P.
After an injury that put him out of the racing industry, he was
sold as a stud. Without much success, Sam was sold again and
eventually ended up as a hunter. Sam competed successfully at
2’6”, but his trainers felt that he would be better suited for dressage
and he was donated to New Vocations, where Laura came across
him.
Things weren’t picture perfect at first for the pair, as Sam had
been a stallion until the age of six and still held onto his stud-like
qualities. In the barn, he would initially nip at people walking by
and couldn’t get turned out or be stabled near the mares.
But, after Sam received a reality check from a few of the larger
geldings, his attitude changed. “He rarely nips anymore and has
turned from being aloof to approaching you for pats and scratches,”
said Laura. “He is almost always first at the gate and he will turn
his cheek to me while I saddle him so I’ll give him a few face rubs
before I cinch him up. He has really turned into a giant pussycat.”
Laura describes his personality as charismatic and adores
attention, loves peppermints and seems to really enjoy being
fussed over.
After a bit of trial and error, Sam has found his calling in the
dressage arena. With Laura in the irons, Sam has been working
on some lower level dressage. The talented nine-year-old chestnut
gelding has a natural feel for the discipline and also enjoys being
ridden out in the hayfields.
“I have jumped him a few times for fun and, although he has
talent galore for jumping, I truly believe that he prefers flatwork.
Dressage really suits him. He is a quick learner and if there will be
anything holding him back from the upper levels it will definitely be
his rider,” laughed Laura.
The pair has recently been seen at some schooling shows and
clinics, where Sam has proven to be a complete professional.
According to Laura, he has a working attitude and his ability to do
is job is truly impressive.
“At this point, the sky is the limit. I am a few steps ahead of him
right now, but that will quickly change. I think that next year, once
I have a better idea what we will be capable of, I’ll think about
going to some recognized shows and possibly working toward my
bronze medal.”
Laura added that she sometimes feels like she needs to pinch
herself when she’s riding Sam. “I enjoy every minute I spend
with him and really hope we have many more years of riding and
learning together.”
Although he’s a long way from the track he was bred to run on,
this Kentucky Derby star has finally found a place to call home.
About the writer: Arianna Delin is a 24-year-old Pennsylvania State University
graduate, who is currently a news editor at a community paper in New Jersey. She
has grown up around horses her entire life, competing in ‘A’ rated shows along the
Northeast.
Laura with Sam P, her Kentucky Derby star who now has a new
life as a dressage horse.
Photo courtesy of Laura Vorwerk
Kentucky Derby Star Shines in Dressage Ring
e
Second Chances
Sam P shows off his moves at the New Vocations Racehorse
Adoption Program center in Lexington, Kentucky.
Photo courtesy of New Vocations
